Laurie Spear’s travel agent tells her she’s booked on American Airlines. But it turns out she’s on British Airways and that leads to all kinds of problems. Who’s responsible, and how does she fix it?
travel agent
Craig and Jamie Talley just had the worst vacation ever. Their words, not mine. I’ve seen a lot of bad trips, and as far as “worst vacations” go, this one’s right up there with the worst of ‘em.
If you think travel agents are about as worthless as travel insurance — and I’ve seen your comments on this site, so I know you’re out there — then you’ll like this story.
Want to go somewhere? Book the trip yourself.
When the subject of travel insurance comes up, I’m usually quick to say: Don’t buy the first policy you’re offered. That’s because the first policy is normally a brochure your travel agent slides across the desk right after you’ve plunked down $14,000 for that dream safari, along with the warning, “You’ll want insurance.” You will [...]
Glen Segal didn’t make it to Reykjavik. He’d paid $2,628 for a one-week vacation package to through Icelandair that included accommodations at the Hilton Nordica. He’d even shelled out an extra $200 for Access America trip cancellation insurance. But in the end, none of that mattered.
Jerry Ginnis’ says his first mistake was asking a travel agent for a quote on a Bermuda vacation. He’d already found a terrific price online — a week at a luxury resort for $2,800, about 40 percent off the normal rate — but a friend suggested that he call.
We’ve already heard from Prime Travel Protection’s customers and from the agents who sold its policies. But other than a form letter from its trustee, the company and its president, Jerry Watson, have remained silent. Until now.
As a rule, most travel agents are well-trained, competent professionals who work hard for you. But there are exceptions to every rule. Take Kathleen Rossano of East Brunswick, N.J., who was recently sentenced to a 10-year prison term for stealing more than $75,000 from her travel agency.
Next time you’re tempted to pay for a trip by check — or God forbid, cash — think about Catherine MacLean. A few months ago, she and her husband booked a cruise to Vietnam. It’s the last time they ever heard from their cruise line.
This might be one reason why Austrian Airlines is in so much trouble. Then again, it might be why the beleaguered carrier hasn’t folded any sooner. A passenger who bit into a brownie and broke a cap on her tooth on a flight from Washington to Vienna, has been reimbursed by the airline to the tune of $1,462.
Nanci Moll was looking forward to spending her five-year anniversary in the Cayman Islands. But her travel agent had other plans. He apparently was looking forward to spending the $1,488 Moll had paid him.
How much of a travel agent commission is too much? Ten percent? Twenty? How about 100 percent? That’s no academic question.
Don’t tell Jennifer Pulles that travel agents are obsolete. Her travel professional saved the day for her parents, underscoring the value of using a human travel agent for important trips.
Whose responsibility is your travel-related paperwork, like visas and vaccinations? If you said “mine” — you’re right.
Elliott is consumer advocate 
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